Acacia solenota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia solenota |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
solenota
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia solenota is a type of shrub that belongs to the Acacia family. It is found only in a specific part of north-eastern Australia. This plant was declared a vulnerable plant in 2008. This means it needs protection because its numbers are decreasing.
What is Acacia solenota Like?
This shrub can grow quite tall, reaching about 5 metres (16 ft) (about 16 feet). It grows in a thick, spreading way. Its young branches are smooth and have a reddish-brown color. Sometimes, they might look a bit scaly.
Like most Acacia plants, it doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are smooth and stay green all year round. They are shaped a bit like a half-leaf.
The phyllodes are usually 8 to 12.5 cm (3.1 to 4.9 in) (about 3 to 5 inches) long. They are also 15 to 32 mm (0.59 to 1.26 in) (about 0.6 to 1.3 inches) wide. Each phyllode has a rounded tip with a small, hard point. You can see several thin lines, or nerves, running along them. Two or three of these lines are clearer than the others.
Flowers and Seed Pods
Acacia solenota usually blooms around February. It produces flower-spikes that look like small cylinders. These flowers are almost white and are about 2.5 to 3.5 cm (0.98 to 1.38 in) (about 1 to 1.4 inches) long.
After the flowers bloom, long, thick, and woody brown seed pods start to form. These pods can grow up to 12 cm (4.7 in) (about 4.7 inches) long. They are about 8 to 10 mm (0.31 to 0.39 in) (about 0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The pods are widest near their top and get narrower towards the bottom. When they are ready, they open up from the top, releasing their seeds.
Where Does Acacia solenota Grow?
This plant is found along a small part of the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. This area stretches for about 50 km (31 mi) (about 31 miles). It goes from near Cooktown in the south to Cape Flattery in the north.
Acacia solenota grows in sandy areas, often on old sand-dunes. It can form dense groups in these places. You can find it in scrub-land or heath-land areas. It often grows alongside another tree called Corymbia intermedia.
